PSU approves 16 percent raise for president to $600,000

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State trustees have approved a 16 percent raise for President Rodney Erickson to $600,000 after a review of his performance in the year since he took office.

The university announced Wednesday that the raise was effective Nov. 1. Erickson was promoted from provost to president on Nov. 9, 2011, after predecessor Graham Spanier left under pressure in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal involving retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

The school says the raise was in line with Erickson's employment agreement, and is based on salary and a typical benefits package. Penn State says the raise gives Erickson a median salary based on a survey of 17 comparable research institutions conducted by Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.